Speaker

Mahfuz Anam

Mahfuz Anam (born 18 June 1950) is a distinguished Bangladeshi journalist, editor, and public intellectual. He is the editor and publisher of The Daily Star, the country’s largest English-language newspaper, and has served three terms as chairman of the Asia News Network. Born to Abul Mansur Ahmed, a prominent lawyer, writer, and politician, Anam studied economics at the University of Dhaka and excelled in debating, winning the All Pakistan Debating Championship three times. He joined the Mukti Bahini during Bangladesh’s War of Independence and began his journalism career at The Bangladesh Observer. After 14 years with UNESCO, he co-founded The Daily Star in 1991 with Syed Mohammad Ali. Anam has been a vocal defender of democracy and press freedom, often facing lawsuits for his outspoken editorial stance. He also founded the Newspapers Owners Association of Bangladesh and actively contributes to civil society initiatives.